Optical Mixing Fluids Vessel for Hematocrit Measurement

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional optical methods for determining the hematocrit and free hemoglobin concentration in fluids, such as blood, face challenges including minimal light transmission due to red blood cells, scattering by air bubbles, and the requirement for access to opposing sides of fluid paths, which can be impractical and lead to erroneous measurements.

Innovation Solution

A system comprising a vessel with a fluid compartment and a contrast compartment, exposed to a broadband light source, where the reflected light is analyzed to determine the main wavelength and calculate the fluid's characteristic, allowing for accurate hematocrit and free hemoglobin concentration measurement without needing access to both sides of the fluid path and being insensitive to air bubbles.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If transmission-based optical detection is used to measure fluid composition, then measurement capability is provided, but light transmission is minimal due to scattering by red blood cells and air bubbles, leading to erroneous measurements

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemeasurement accuracyVSAvoidmeasurement reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent inverts the conventional transmission-based optical detection approach by using reflection-based detection instead. The optical detector is positioned to receive reflected light from the fluid path rather than transmitted light, which eliminates the need for opposing side access and reduces sensitivity to light scattering from bubbles and cells.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a reflective surface or interface as an intermediary between the light source and detector. By detecting light reflected from the fluid-path interface rather than light transmitted through the fluid, the system achieves accurate measurements without requiring opposing side access or being sensitive to light scattering.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Measurement precision

If transmission-based optical detection is used, then fluid composition can be determined, but access to opposing sides of the fluid path is required, which is impractical for certain systems

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecomposition determination capabilityVSAvoidaccess requirement

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

3Measurement precision

If conventional free hemoglobin measurement assays are used, then accurate measurement is achieved, but the process is time-consuming and costly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefree hemoglobin measurement accuracyVSAvoidmeasurement speed

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces complex mechanical/chemical assay systems with a simplified optical detection system. By using optical properties (reflection and wavelength analysis) to determine free hemoglobin concentration, the system achieves accurate measurements rapidly without time-consuming chemical assays.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the measurement parameter from chemical assay-based detection to optical reflection-based detection. By analyzing the wavelength characteristics of reflected light, the system can determine free hemoglobin concentration quickly and accurately, improving measurement speed and productivity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

This method provides reliable and accurate measurements of hematocrit and free hemoglobin concentration, improving the efficiency and accuracy of fluid analysis in blood processing systems by using a single-sided optical detection and reducing the impact of air bubbles.

Implementation Method 1

exposing at least a portion of the vessel to a light emitted by a broadband light source

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLight emission: Light

Implementation Method 2

cause at least a portion of the light to be reflected by the fluid compartment and the contrast compartment

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLight reflection: Reflection

Data Source

PatentUS11137344B2Optical mixing of fluids

Publication Date: 2021.10.05 FENWAL INC

AI summary

A fluid to be optically monitored may be optically mixed to modify the apparent color perceived by a colorimetric optical sensor device. The fluid is positioned within a fluid compartment of a vessel also including a contrast compartment adjacent to the fluid compartment. The contrast compartment is configured to have a contrast color with a known main wavelength that is different from the main wavelength of the fluid color. Light from a broadband light source of the colorimetric optical sensor device is reflected off of the vessel, with the received light being received by an optical spectrometer. The optical spectrometer analyzes the received light to determine a main wavelength of the received light, followed by a controller determining a characteristic of the fluid, which is based on the main wavelengths of the received light and the contrast color and the percentage of the vessel occupied by the fluid compartment.